Edgar Davids sees red but Barnet claim the points

Jon Nurse's first-half volley was enough to secure Barnet three points as they defeated Dartford at home.

The substitute's first goal of the season gave Barnet a lead they held on to, despite Edgar Davids' late dismissal.

There were three changes to the side that beat Hayes and Yeading in the FA Trophy last Saturday. Luke Gambin, Jack Saville and David Stephens replaced Kieron Cadogan, Carl Fletcher and Mark Byrne.

The struggling visitors had the first chance of the game after 15 minutes. Their captain, midfielder Elliott Bradbrook, dispossessed Curtid Weston of the ball before curling his shot just wide of Graham Stack's goal from just outside of the box.

This was immediately followed by another Dartford opportunity. Jim Stevenson's low cross was met by a sliding Danny Harris, but Stack came out to comfortably block his shot.

Ahmed Abdulla had the first opportunity for The Bees after 17 minutes but his free header was easily plucked out the air by Dartford stopper Phil Smith.

On 31 minutes, Barnet took the lead. Keanu Marsh-Brown hit a crafty ball into the box which saw Jon Nurse superbly volley the ball into the bottom corner to net his first goal of the season.

In an uneventful opening to the second-half, Edgar Davids' side spurned a golden chance to double their lead after 63 minutes. A low ball whipped into the cross evaded everyone except for Luke Gambin, who fired wide from close range.

With nine minutes to go, Davids received his second red card of the season after bringing down the diminutive Harris to produce a second bookable offence.

From the resulting free-kick, Lee Noble's inswinging ball into the box forced Stack to palm the ball over the bar.

Minutes later and The Darts almost grabbed a late equaliser. After a well-worked free-kick routine saw the ball played through to Harris, his shot from the edge of the box was met by a sublime save by the imperious Stack.

The Bees held on to secure a victory which moves them up to 6th place, missing out on a play-off place on goal difference to Grimsby Town - who will be Barnet's opponents at home in the FA Trophy next Saturday.